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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Intracranial Orthotopic Allografting of Medulloblastoma Cells in Immunocompromised Mice
Published on: October 3, 2010
Midline cerebellar medulloblastoma in a seventy-one-year-old patient
Raymund L Yong1, Eoin C Kavanagh, David Fenton
1Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Background:
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant central nervous system tumour in children but, in contrast, quite rare in adults. Hemispheric, rather than midline, cerebellar medulloblastomas are more common in older children and adults. We present the unusual case of a 71-year-old man who presented with a fourth ventricular mass that proved to be a medulloblastoma.
Methods:
A 71-year-old man presented with progressive balance problems, slurred speech and double vision. A CT scan of the brain revealed a hyperattenuating, partially calcified, avidly enhancing mass within the fourth ventricle. Diffusion weighted MRI showed restricted diffusion within the mass. The patient underwent a midline suboccipital craniotomy and a subtotal resection was achieved.
Results:
Histological examination showed a densely cellular neoplasm composed of small cells with a tendency towards neuroblastic rosette formation. Most cells were strongly positive for neuron-specific enolase and synaptophysin. Ultrastructurally, tumour cells showed evidence of neuronal differentiation. These findings were consistent with a classical medulloblastoma.
Conclusion:
Adult medulloblastoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a partially calcified hyperattenuating mass within the fourth ventricle.
